Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

KSRTC to be restructured

The KSRTC is expected to break even in two years, says Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is planning to restructure the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) so that it will break even in two years, Transport Minister Mathew T.Thomas has said.

Replying to questions in the Assembly on Thursday, Mr.Thomas said that on ensuring the supply of CNG in the State, it would be used in 1,500 buses in the first phase. The corporation had submitted a Rs.280-crore project to the government for switching over to CNG.

Another proposal for Rs.1,280 crore to acquire electronic buses too had been submitted to the government. The proposals would be presented before the 13th Finance Commission.

A Russian company, First Planet Engineering, had submitted a proposal to use LNG in buses. The company had the technical know-how to install the LNG kit in buses.

The government would have to amend the Motor Vehicle rules and secure the clearance of the Automobile Research Association of India for using such alternatives to diesel. The corporation would register Rs.43 crore annual profit on converting to CNG and Rs.258 crore on using LNG. Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran said that a civil defence institute would be set up in the State with Central aid. The institute would offer training in rescue and relief operations during exigencies. A proposal to acquire helicopters for rescue operations too was being considered. Amendments to the Kerala Land Reforms Act had been planned to fix the limit for plantations. The amendments were planned to do away with the exemption given to plantations under the Act.

The Kerala State Pollution Control Board had ordered the closure of 29 abattoirs for violating the pollution control norms, Local Administration Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty said.

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